Abstract: In archaeology, there is no model based on empirical data which allows us to interpret the diffusion of stylistic and technical traits in terms of modes of transmission. In order to fulfill this lack of reference data, an ethnoarchaeological project has been started which proposes to build an empirically-calibrated theoretical model. Preliminary results show on the one hand that the diffusion of stylistic and technical traits respond to different mechanisms and on the other hand that the modes of technical diffusion depend on social structure rather than on distance proximity.